UH vs. Rice

University of Houston and Rice University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Houston
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 73.9%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: UH. Average net price is $14,309 vs $23,589 at Rice.
  • Graduation: UH 46% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UH $59,000 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

University of Houston Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
UH73.9%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
UH1160-1340
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
UH $9,280 less
UH$14,309
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
UH $54,427 less
UH$9,717
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
UH $41,597 less
UH$22,547
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Rice +46 pts
UH46%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$27,400
UH$59,000
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at UH and Rice with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at UH Check my chances at Rice
  • Applied
  • UH 31,716
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • UH 23,446
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • UH 73.9%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UH 26.5%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UH 1250
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • UH 26
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UH 3.46
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • UH B+
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • UH Difficult
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UH Low
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • UH 1160-1340
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • UH 23-29
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UH Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UH May 31, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UH $9,717
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UH $22,547
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • UH $11,286
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • UH $14,309
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • UH $12,159
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UH 74%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • UH 46%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UH $59,000
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • UH 61%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UH $19,750
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • UH $204
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UH 22:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • UH
    • Business (30%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • UH Houston, TX
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • UH Large City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • UH 47,980
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • UH Public 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UH #449
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston in Houston, TX with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Houston is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 37.6% lower than at Rice University ($11,286 vs. $18,100).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 184.5% higher at Rice than at University of Houston (about $41,597 more per year; $64,144 vs. $22,547).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston than at Rice University (74% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 362.2% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($56,199 vs. $12,159).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at Rice than at UH (34 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UH and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.5 higher than at UH (3.46).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $9,523 lower median loan debt than UH graduates ($10,227 vs. $19,750).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH graduates ($105 vs. $204).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

University of Houston
Rice University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges